What model lever feels the best in your hands?

rangerider7 · Post by **rangerider7** » Fri Jan 09, 2009 12:11 am

My choice is a 1892 Winchester SRC. The model Winchester 53 is not far behind. Whats yours?

Mike D. · Post by **Mike D.** » Fri Jan 09, 2009 12:17 am

For me, it's an Extra Lightweight 1886 Winchester. Come to think of it, the little '92 SRC ain't bad, either. Heck for light, that's for sure.

Griff · Post by **Griff** » Fri Jan 09, 2009 12:22 am

DUH! Winchester 1894/94 Rifle!

Aussie Chris · Post by **Aussie Chris** » Fri Jan 09, 2009 12:41 am

Model 1894 Winchester (straight tang). It's all I know to be honest...

Post by **Chuck 100 yd** » Fri Jan 09, 2009 12:49 am

Something about the `73` just seems right to me.

Lastmohecken · Post by **Lastmohecken** » Fri Jan 09, 2009 1:10 am

I think for me it has to be a pre-64 Winchester model 94 with the standard 20 inch barrel, and dead stock open sights except for the hood over the front sight, which I always remove. And it has to be a pre-64, because for some reason, the post 64's and I own several, just don't have the same feel to them, even though they are still normally a good handling rifle. I think for me a lot of it has to do with the way the lever usually comes up solid on the pre-64's, as opposed to the lever always having to be squeased tight on the post 64's, and then the balance is slightly different on the older guns.

My Browning 92 in 44 mag feels pretty good, but probably does not settle as solidly to my shoulder, more then likely due to the slick carbine buttplate, and the sights are not as quick for me.

However, there is one gun of mine that I just have to get busy and work up some good loads for that feels almost as good as my pre-64 model 94's, and that is a very highly modified 1937 long tang, Model 71, which was converted to a straight grip, like the 86's have, the barrel has been shortened to 20 inches, with a full length mag tube added, and it has been chambered for 450 Alaskan. It also has a very nice recoil pad. And the open sights are, well, just perfect on this gun. OH and the forend has been slimmed down, from the fatter forend of the typical model 71. Whoever built this gun, had a really good idea, of what was needed in a fast handling, easy carrying, big bore leveraction.

GEOFF · Post by **GEOFF** » Fri Jan 09, 2009 1:33 am

Great topic for conversation!

I've always been amazed at the difference in feel of different guns and how some just HELP you shoot better somehow.

My favorites so far and they are tied:

1) 1892 Winchester made 1908 chambered in .25-20 24" round barrel

2) 1893 Marlin BLACK POWDER 26" round barrel chambered in .38-55

Both of these guns have done very well for me in shooting lever action silhouette. I'm still trying different .22LR rifles to find one that does the same thing for my shooting as the above favorites.

Geoff

Post by **Old Savage** » Fri Jan 09, 2009 2:10 am

Maybe the Marlin 375 or the Model 88 or the Marlin 1895SS. Has to have a pistol grip to feel best to me. Wrist can't really bend to straight stocks as well.

Bruce · Post by **Bruce** » Fri Jan 09, 2009 5:29 am

My opinion on this recently changed and I am very surprised - a Winchester 1895.

Pop Watts · Post by **Pop Watts** » Fri Jan 09, 2009 5:33 am

My 1874 Winchester Oct barrel rifle.

cshold · Post by **cshold** » Fri Jan 09, 2009 6:25 am

For me at 6'4" it would be my Savage 99.
Just the right fit.

Post by **Ysabel Kid** » Fri Jan 09, 2009 7:45 am

That's a tough one! I agree with your choice of the Winchester 1892, though the Browning 1886 SRC I have would be a close second!

AJMD429 · Post by **AJMD429** » Fri Jan 09, 2009 7:46 am

Hard to beat a Marlin Guide Gun when it comes to a handy fistload of power. I would prefer the pistol grip on that gun, though.

Borregos · Post by **Borregos** » Fri Jan 09, 2009 7:48 am

My Marlin 1895SS, somehow the pistol grip on that just fits me right

Post by **Hobie** » Fri Jan 09, 2009 7:52 am

A quality gun. Winchester, Marlin, Savage with a slim forearm and straight grip. I guess I'm not hard to please. BLRs don't quite feel right though. Don't know why. Maybe because the stock is set-up more for scope sight use? The Winchester 88 and Sako Finnwolf feel too much like bolt guns.

Post by **Ysabel Kid** » Fri Jan 09, 2009 7:59 am

Good point Hobie!

Thinking it through, what feels "best" for me is a straight grip stock and a crescent butt stock. I like my levers either very short ("trapper" length with round barrels) or very long (with octagonal barrels). I just can't get used to pistol-grip stocks and the corresponding curved-lever ring...

RIHMFIRE · Post by **RIHMFIRE** » Fri Jan 09, 2009 8:21 am

Probably my model 94AE 44 mag with the big loop
20" barrel.....it has good balance...
But I am very fond of my model 92 also

AndyM · Post by **AndyM** » Fri Jan 09, 2009 8:22 am

For me - it has to be the Winchester 1892 rifle, Full length barrel, full mag tube, cres.buttstock - a close second would be my 1894 full rifle, they both just balance and point perfect for me.

I would agree w/ Hobie on the Winchester 88 feeling closer to a bolt gun.
While I truely enjoy my Marlin guide gun in 45-70, that bulky Marlin forearm is still hard for me to get used too.

TedH · Post by **TedH** » Fri Jan 09, 2009 8:42 am

Marlin pistol grips "feel" the most comfortable to me. I do prefer the look of straight stocks though.

rjohns94 · Post by **rjohns94** » Fri Jan 09, 2009 10:07 am

the model 92 SRC is my favorite, followed by the 1876, followed by the 1897 Marlin, then the 1893 marlin.

Modoc ED · Post by **Modoc ED** » Fri Jan 09, 2009 10:16 am

Any Winchester with the slim forend and buttstock and any Marlin with the same set-up. I like my late model .444 Marlin made in 2003 but the forend is a bit fat for my taste.

Malamute · Post by **Malamute** » Fri Jan 09, 2009 10:24 am

Earlier Winchester 94 carbines. When I was hunting bunnies a lot in Az, I could hit them on the run with the 94's. They feel and handle just about perfect for me, with decent range and power for most utility chores short of grizzly country.

kimwcook · Post by **kimwcook** » Fri Jan 09, 2009 10:32 am

Pre 64, Winnie carbine.

salvo · Post by **salvo** » Fri Jan 09, 2009 10:36 am

I would have to say a pre-64 model 94 carbine also. But I sure like the way a Winchester 1895 comes to the shoulder.

C. Cash · Post by **C. Cash** » Fri Jan 09, 2009 10:45 am

Mod. 94 in the XTR Big Bore setup. Standard slim straight grip with checkering, and the slim Mod. 94 forearm. Admittedly, I've not been around 92's, 86's and 95's very much. The Win. 94 has always wowed me in terms of how slim and handy it is. The Marlins don't feel right in my hands, except the M39A.

J Miller · Post by **J Miller** » Fri Jan 09, 2009 12:07 pm

Of all the lever guns I've owned and shot, the best feeling to me is the pre-64 Win 94 Carbines.
All the other lever guns just didn't / don't feel as good as that one.

Joe

Leverluver · Post by **Leverluver** » Fri Jan 09, 2009 1:25 pm

Add another long tang 71

44LVR · Post by **44LVR** » Fri Jan 09, 2009 1:32 pm

Leverluver wrote:Add another long tang 71

Add another to that list.

The first thing that came to mind was my Marlin CB .44 just because that is what I pack most every day. But, as a powerlifter, I really need that pistol grip to make my wrists most comfortable with my slight lack of wrist flexibility.

44

2ndovc · Post by **2ndovc** » Fri Jan 09, 2009 2:15 pm

Winchester Model '95 SRC.

jb

Hillbilly · Post by **Hillbilly** » Fri Jan 09, 2009 2:43 pm

I like the Winchester 94 carbine a bit better than the Marlin 36 and 336... but the thin wood Marlins are passible.

Marlin 1894 357 18 incher is getting to be a go-to gun ... probably shoot it better offhand than any other rifle I've ever shot...comes up and swings nicely too.

Hill

Boreman · Post by **Boreman** » Fri Jan 09, 2009 3:16 pm

The M-71 is my flat out favorite, followed by the M-92 ,third would be any other levergun.

Blaine · Post by **Blaine** » Fri Jan 09, 2009 3:45 pm

Marlin 39M
Marlin 1894 .44mag

As I shoot it more, my Wrenchester USRAC 1895 in 405 is fast becoming my favority shooter. What a sweetheart!!

tman · Post by **tman** » Fri Jan 09, 2009 4:59 pm

c.cash nailed it. bigbore 94's,just right

jeepnik · Post by **jeepnik** » Fri Jan 09, 2009 5:09 pm

I prefer the Marlins over Winnies. They seem to have a more solid feel. That, and I don't remember Winchester making any in stainless.

TNBigBore · Post by **TNBigBore** » Fri Jan 09, 2009 5:41 pm

A straight stocked Marlin 1895, 1894 or 336 seems to fit me the best with a Savage 99 EG or F as a close second. Winchesters have never fit me very well although I like them too.

marlinman93 · Post by **marlinman93** » Fri Jan 09, 2009 6:37 pm

Since Marlin pretty much used the same stock shape on all their old levers, I find any of the pistol gripped Marlins just perfect in my hands. But the ones that feel best, and balance best for me, are the pistol gripped 1894 and 1893 with barrels of 28-30".

71fan · Post by **71fan** » Fri Jan 09, 2009 6:48 pm

Another vote for the 71. For a bit lighter package the little brothers, the M55 and M64 are naturals as well.

The Marlin 336 SC is a very nice package as well.

iceman · Post by **iceman** » Fri Jan 09, 2009 7:01 pm

Another one for the win mod 94BB. Maybe its the checkering or little extra weight. I'm not sure but feels right to me. For a just walking around not looking for anything in particular I like my 9422 xtr classic.

Rimfire McNutjob · Post by **Rimfire McNutjob** » Fri Jan 09, 2009 7:09 pm

I'd have to say Rihmfire's '92. It was light, slim forend, straight grip, and felt very natural to shoot. I need one in 25-20.

Shasta · Post by **Shasta** » Fri Jan 09, 2009 7:22 pm

Winchester Model ___(insert number here), checkered pistol grip stock with full crescent butt.

buckeyeshooter · Post by **buckeyeshooter** » Fri Jan 09, 2009 7:54 pm

winchester 1895 carbine.

brucew44guns · Post by **brucew44guns** » Fri Jan 09, 2009 8:10 pm

Very early (1936) long tang model 71 deluxe. Kinda like a woman that a man gets familiar with--------- you learn how to hold her, and you don't lose your grip.

Kansas Ed · Post by **Kansas Ed** » Fri Jan 09, 2009 8:24 pm

1873 Winchester, standard Rifle configuration. Close second...1892 standard rifle configuration.

Ed

dr walker · Post by **dr walker** » Fri Jan 09, 2009 9:10 pm

For me, a Marlin 336 with a pistol grip stock and a slimmed down forarm.

Paul Jenkins · Post by **Paul Jenkins** » Fri Jan 09, 2009 9:39 pm

I like my '92 Wnc, .45 colt. Loaded hot with 275 gr. GC. 24" brl. Light, can be nearly a .45-70, and fast.

gak · Post by **gak** » Fri Jan 09, 2009 10:03 pm

A big bore Winchester 92 carbine (20") or clone

geobru · Post by **geobru** » Sat Jan 10, 2009 3:07 am

IMHO My pre-81 BLR is hard to beat, but I have an 86 in 45-90 that someone customized by shortening the barrel to 20" and cut back the magazine tube. They turned the front part of the octagon barrel to reduce the weight. The result is a gun that is quick and a whole lot lighter to carry than a full blown 86 in the original configuration.

I also like the older 94's and....

I'll stop now before I admit that I like them all.

HATCHETTJACK · Post by **HATCHETTJACK** » Sat Jan 10, 2009 9:27 am

my 1895 xlr in 45-70 feels the best

Win71 · Post by **Win71** » Sat Jan 10, 2009 12:09 pm

A long tang Model 71 Winchester or a Model 64 Winchester can't be beat. Nothing made after 1958 comes close, and I'm sticking to it.

44LVR · Post by **44LVR** » Sat Jan 10, 2009 12:27 pm

Win71 wrote:A long tang Model 71 Winchester or a Model 64 Winchester can't be beat. Nothing made after 1958 comes close, and I'm sticking to it.

And I'm stickin' with you! I love my 1936 '71 and my 1939 Model 64 in 25-35!

44